The Great Travel Gear Debate: Backpack vs. Suitcase? | Wish You Were Here, But We Don't
Which Travel Gear Is Right for You? A Comparison of Mobility, Comfort, and Convenience
Ever tried rolling a suitcase through the cobblestone streets of Rome? Or cramming a backpack into an overhead bin while the flight attendant glares at you? The struggle is real.
I once dragged my suitcase up five flights of stairs in Barcelona, sweating bullets while locals watched in silent judgment. Meanwhile, my friend with a backpack breezed past me. That was the moment I questioned everything I knew about luggage.
Some travelers swear by the sleek efficiency of a suitcase, while others refuse to travel without a backpack that lets them dodge baggage fees and navigate staircases like a pro. So, which team are you on?
💼 Suitcase Travelers: The Smooth Operators
A suitcase is for those who value structure, organization, and easy rolling—at least when the pavement isn’t out to ruin your day. Perfect for city-hoppers, business travelers, and luxury lovers.
✅ Pros:
Rolls like a dream (on smooth surfaces).
Keeps everything neatly packed and wrinkle-free.
Looks polished for business or luxury trips.
Offers more space (hello, extra shoes).
❌ Cons:
Cobblestone streets and staircases are your mortal enemies.
Ever tried maneuvering one through a packed subway? Yikes.
Good luck storing it in a tiny hostel or budget Airbnb.
🎯 Best For:
Business Travelers – Keeps suits, dress shoes, and work essentials in perfect order.
Luxury Travelers – Need to fit multiple outfit changes? No problem.
City Breakers – Navigating hotels, metros, and smooth streets with ease.
🟢 Join the Debate: What's the Best Suitcase?
Are you Team Suitcase? What features make or break your perfect luggage—whisper-quiet wheels or an indestructible shell? Drop your must-haves and ultimate suitcase picks—we want to hear what rolls right for you!
💼 The Brands We Nominate (And Love):
Away – Sleek, durable, and influencer-approved.
Monos – Minimalist, premium materials, and thoughtfully designed.
Tumi – Business-travel elite status unlocked with premium durability.
Rimowa – Luxury meets durability (high-end aluminum & polycarbonate options).
Briggs & Riley – Offers an unbeatable lifetime warranty and top-tier craftsmanship.
Roam – Fully customizable, colorful, and stylish suitcases.
Quince – Affordable, high-quality luggage with a minimalist aesthetic.
Delsey - A French brand known for stylish, functional, and affordable luggage.
Paravel - Sustainable, eco-friendly luggage with sleek designs.
Beis- Stylish, functional, and travel-ready luggage with a celebrity-approved aesthetic.
🎒 Backpack Travelers: The Mobility Masters
For those who value freedom, flexibility, and looking slightly disheveled at the airport, a backpack is the way to go. Ideal for digital nomads, budget travelers, and anyone who refuses to check a bag.
✅ Pros:
Hands-free navigation through crowded streets.
No checked baggage fees = More cash for snacks.
Built for rugged terrain and spontaneous detours.
Fits in overhead bins without a fight.
❌ Cons:
Heavy AF when overpacked (and you will overpack).
Digging for your charger at the bottom of your bag = a nightmare.
It's not ideal if you’re trying to look professional at immigration.
🎯 Best For:
Budget Travelers – Skip baggage fees and save money.
Adventure Seekers – Ideal for hiking, road trips, and spontaneous detours.
Digital Nomads – Perfect for those always on the move.
🟢 Join the Debate: Is a Backpack the Ultimate Travel Companion?
Are you Team Backpack? What features make a backpack a game-changer—anti-theft zippers, weight distribution, or a built-in USB port? Do you swear by a carry-on size or go full-on trekking mode? Share your must-haves and vote for the best backpack in 2025!
🎒 The Brands We Nominate (And Love):
Nomatic – Sleek, ultra-organized, and designed for business + travel.
Tortuga – The ultimate one-bag travel solution for minimalist travelers.
Osprey – A top choice for travel and hiking, known for comfort and durability.
Patagonia – Eco-friendly and made to last with sustainability in mind.
Cotopaxi – Ethical, colorful, and ready for any adventure.
WANDRD – Ideal for photographers and digital nomads with rugged functionality.
The North Face – Reliable, versatile, and durable for outdoor adventures and travel.
Deuter – Ergonomically designed for long-haul comfort and outdoor use.
Peak Design – The go-to for photographers with superb organization and functionality.
Arc'teryx – High-performance, weatherproof, and made for outdoor enthusiasts.
🔄 Hybrid Bags: The Best of Both Worlds?
Can’t decide? Hybrid bags exist, blending the best (and worst) of both worlds. They roll like a suitcase but carry like a backpack—perfect for those who need versatility but don’t want to deal with the downsides of either.
✅ Pros:
More structured than traditional backpacks.
Can switch between rolling and carrying.
Great for mixed-terrain trips.
❌ Cons:
Doesn’t fully excel in either category.
Some designs sacrifice storage space for versatility.
🔄 Hybrid Bags We Nominate:
Tropicfeel – The ultimate adventure travel bag with expandability and waterproof features.
Eagle Creek – Rugged, durable, and ultra-versatile, built for mixed-terrain travel.
Boundary Supply – Modular, expandable, and stylish with exceptional organization.
Genius Pack – Luggage with built-in organizers and backpack straps for smart travel.
HEIMPLANET – Minimalist, weatherproof, and highly versatile for both city and outdoor adventures.
Thule Subterra – Sleek, durable hybrid bag that transitions smoothly between rolling and carrying.
Nomad Lane – Known for their Roller Weekender, a sleek hybrid bag offering both wheels and backpack straps for flexibility.
Herschel Supply Co – Classic, stylish, and practical luggage with a retro appeal.
🤖 Smart Luggage: The Future of Travel
Smart Luggage combines advanced technology and convenience to elevate your travel experience. Perfect for tech-savvy travelers who need the latest gadgets.
✅ Pros:
Built-in chargers = no more hunting for outlets.
GPS tracking ensures you’ll never lose your bag.
High-tech features like remote locking and weight sensors.
❌ Cons:
Higher cost compared to regular luggage.
Some airlines restrict smart luggage with non-removable batteries.
🔄 Smart Luggage We Nominate:
Solgaard – Sustainable, smart luggage with a solar-powered charger.
LEVEL8 – Sleek, high-tech hybrid carry-ons designed for modern travelers.
Horizn Studios – Luxury luggage with GPS tracking and sleek designs.
Carl Friedrik – Premium luggage with smart tracking and elegant style.
July – Minimalist design with high-tech features, including ejectable batteries.
Modobag – The world’s first suitcase you can ride.
Arlo Skye – Sleek aluminum luggage with built-in chargers for on-the-go power.
Pacsafe – Anti-theft tech with RFID-blocking features for added security.
Kabuto – Advanced fingerprint locks and removable charging docks.
(P.S. We’ve got exclusive discount codes for some of these! Subscribe below to snag them.)
🏆 And the Winner Is…?
Still torn? Here’s your cheat sheet:
✈️ City Breakers & Business Travelers → Suitcase
🌄 Adventure Seekers & Budget Travelers → Backpack
🌍 Digital Nomads & Hybrid Travelers → Backpack or Hybrid
💎 Luxury Travelers → Suitcase
🎧 Cast Your Vote: Backpack or Suitcase?
📲 It’s time to finally settle the debate! Head over to our Instagram and drop your vote—because let’s be honest, everyone has strong feelings about their go-to travel gear.
🚀 How to Join the Fun:
✅ Vote in our polls to make your stance known.
✅ Share your travel gear fails: Ever wrestled a suitcase into an overhead bin or suffered a backpack-induced backache? We want all the juicy stories.
✅ Tag us! You could get featured—or even win a totally random but undeniably cool prize.
💌 Subscribe to our Substack for unfiltered, laugh-out-loud travel stories that keep it real (with plenty of cringe moments and inspiration sprinkled in).
🎙️ Coming soon: Tune in to our podcast and YouTube channel for honest takes on full-time travel—glossy influencer versions need not apply. We have very strong opinions on packing.
👉 Vote now: Are you Team Backpack or Team Suitcase? Drop your choice in the comments and tell us why!
P.S. No matter what side you’re on, don’t be the one holding up the aisle while cramming your bag into the overhead bin. We see you. 🙄
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